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Understanding the Difference: Raising Your Voice vs Yelling

Understanding the Difference: Raising Your Voice vs Yelling New!

Children experience adult communication not just through words, but through tone, emotional energy, facial expression, and body language. Two interactions may be equally loud, yet feel completely different to a child. Understanding this distinction is essential for safeguarding, trauma‑informed practice,…
Q: Is Anything Wrong With Using Stencils As Part Of Children's Art and Craft Experiences

Q: Is Anything Wrong With Using Stencils As Part Of Children's Art and Craft Experiences New!

A: While stencils can sometimes support fine motor skills and tracing practice, the EYLF and NQS place a strong emphasis on child‑directed, open‑ended experiences that nurture creativity, agency, and authentic expression. This means the real issue isn’t whether stencils are…
Why Children’s Art Should Never Look the Same

Why Children’s Art Should Never Look the Same New!

In early childhood settings across the country, you can walk into a room and instantly tell what kind of art culture lives there. Sometimes you see walls lined with identical paper plate animals, each one carefully guided by an adult…
Opinion: 70,000 Students in Training, but 21,000 Educators Missing – Australia’s ECE Paradox

Opinion: 70,000 Students in Training, but 21,000 Educators Missing – Australia’s ECE Paradox New!

Australia’s Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) sector is facing a crisis that numbers alone cannot explain. On paper, more than 70,000 students are enrolled in early childhood qualifications across the country. Yet services report a shortfall of 21,000 qualified…
Gratitude Songs To Sing Before Meal Times In Early Childhood

Gratitude Songs To Sing Before Meal Times In Early Childhood New!

Gratitude songs before meals are more than just cheerful tunes; they’re rituals that nurture mindfulness, community, and appreciation in young children. By singing together, children learn to pause, acknowledge the effort behind their food, and celebrate the connections between nature,…
Educator Yearly Room Changes: Supporting Children or Disrupting Continuity?

Educator Yearly Room Changes: Supporting Children or Disrupting Continuity? New!

In early childhood education, the practice of moving educators to new rooms each year is common. Some services see it as a way to keep things fresh, while others worry it disrupts continuity for children. So, are yearly room changes…
Q: Are We Allowed To Braid Children's Hair/Let Children Braid Our Hair At Our Service?

Q: Are We Allowed To Braid Children's Hair/Let Children Braid Our Hair At Our Service?

A: Something as simple as a child asking to braid an educator’s hair—or children braiding each other’s can spark important questions about connection, trust, and professional boundaries. For many, braiding is more than a playful activity; it is a gesture…
Outdoor Play in Hot Weather: Balancing Safety and Children’s Right to Play

Outdoor Play in Hot Weather: Balancing Safety and Children’s Right to Play

Outdoor play is vital for children’s well-being, offering opportunities for physical activity, exploration, and connection with nature. In Australia, however, educators face a unique challenge: how to balance children’s right to outdoor play with the risks of extreme heat and…
Empowering Young Voices: Implementing a Children’s Council in Early Childhood Settings

Empowering Young Voices: Implementing a Children’s Council in Early Childhood Settings

In early childhood education, children are not just learners; they are active participants in shaping their environments. One emerging practice gaining traction among educational leaders is the establishment of a children’s council. This initiative provides children with a structured platform…
List Of Educational Leader Responsibilities On A Day To Day Basis

List Of Educational Leader Responsibilities On A Day To Day Basis

In early childhood education, the role of the Educational Leader is both visionary and grounded. It’s not just about overseeing curriculum—it’s about cultivating a culture of inquiry, emotional safety, and continuous growth. Each day brings opportunities to mentor, reflect, advocate,…
Opinion: Should We Ask Babies For Consent Before Changing Their Nappy?

Opinion: Should We Ask Babies For Consent Before Changing Their Nappy?

At first glance, the idea of asking a baby for consent before a nappy change might sound absurd. After all, babies can’t speak, reason, or give informed permission. But beneath the surface, this question invites us to reflect on something…
Opinion: Your Qualification Doesn’t Comfort — You Do

Opinion: Your Qualification Doesn’t Comfort — You Do

In early childhood education, qualifications are often seen as the benchmark of quality. Diplomas, degrees, and certificates line the walls of centres, signaling compliance and professional achievement. Yet research consistently shows that what truly shapes a child’s well-being and learning…
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